Satellite Jamming Poorly Explained

IBM and BBC can get away with abbreviations. Others can't. Especially if you are trying to tell the world about satellite jamming which is difficult enough for most people to understand anyway. Good initiative. Lousy storytelling. GVF is pleased to forward the following announcement from our sister organisation, the Radio Frequency Interference -End Users Initiative (RFI-EUI), as part of the GVF Interference Initiative, through which GVF is collaborating with partners in the broadcasting sector on SNG operator certification and product testing.  BROADCASTERS LAUNCH GLOBAL INTERFERENCE-PREVENTION INITIATIVES WITH GVF AT CABSAT 2013 Implementation of SNG Operator Certification and Terminal Equipment Testing and Approvals Aim to Reduce Interference  12 March 2013 DUBAI, U.A.E.– The Radio Frequency Interference – End Users Initiative (RFI-EUI) and the Global VSAT Forum (GVF) today, with support and commitment to the program from the World Broadcasting Unions – International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG) and the satellite Interference Reduction Group (sIRG), announced the launch of a two-prong effort to improve the quality of satellite newsgathering services worldwide. RFI-EUI, an international association of broadcasters, together with GVF and its training partner, SatProf, have collaborated on the development of the first phase of a program designed to test operators of satellite newsgathering systems, as well as satellite operators, on the skills necessary to reduce the occurrence of SNG-based interference. In addition, RFI-EUI and GVF are jointly promoting the use of SNG terminal equipment that has been tested and approved in coordination with GVF’s industry framework. “We are excited to be launching this program at CABSAT 2013,” commented Dick Tauber, Co-chair, RFI-EUI and Chairman of WBU-ISOG. “Satellite interference continues to be a significant issue in our industry. Well-trained operators and increased use of type-approved equipment can help to dramatically reduce errors, and therefore instances of unintended interference.” “The RFI-EUI Training and Certification Working Group (WG), led by Maura Maloney of ESPN, has been working closely with GVF and SatProf to ensure the program is tailored to the needs of our industry,” commented Rich Wolf, Co-chair, RFI-EUI. “In parallel, the RFI-EUI Best Practices WG , led by Paul Cohen of Fox Networks, and Colin Robinson, Chair of GVF’s Mutual Recognition Arrangement Working Group, are collaborating to promote the use of tested and approved SNG equipment.” CABSAT 2013 attendees can learn more about the programs by attending the “Interference Prevention Summit”, which is scheduled for 12.00 – 5 p.m. on March 14. They are also welcome to visit the GVF Quality Products Theatre at the CABSAT Exhibit Hall, where manufacturers who have industry-approved products will share information regarding their product designs. Information about the training program is available online; register for SNG Operator Certification at www.gvf.org/training, and for information on approved SNG equipment visit www.gvf.org/approvals.

NOTES FOR EDITORS About RFI-EUI The RFI-EUI / Radio Frequency Interference - End Users Initiative is a voluntary group composed of media companies, equipment manufacturers, industry groups, satellite system operators and satellite service providers from around the world.  It was founded in February 2011 primarily to give voice to customers, clients and essentially all end users of satellite capacity regarding RFI.  RFI-EUI has been established to work in concert and in conjunction with the satellite operators to identify, mitigate and prevent – ultimately to stop – satellite interference. For more information, please visit www.rfi-eui.org. About GVF GVF is the single and unified voice of the global satellite industry.  Founded in 1997, it brings together organisations engaged in the delivery of advanced broadband and narrowband satellite services to consumers, and commercial and government enterprises worldwide.  Headquartered in London, GVF is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organisation with 200+ members from throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.gvf.org. About SatProf, Inc. SatProf, Inc., was founded by Ralph Brooker and Peter Zilliox, both veterans of the satellite ground equipment and system engineering industry.  SatProf offers standard and custom technical e-learning material and engineering support for satellite installers, technicians, engineers, and managers. For more information, please visit www.satprof.com.   About WBU-ISOG Founded in 1985, the International Satellite Operations Group (ISOG) is a committee of the World Broadcasting Unions (WBU). ISOG provides a global forum for members of the WBU to exchange information, outline requirements and resolve common operational problems. WBU-ISOG's mission is to identify, evaluate, and implement solutions for all operational matters associated with transmission (by satellite or any other means) of video, audio, and broadcast-related data material from sites of news, sports, special events and entertainment, and to work with all international groups, institutions, organizations, and appropriate bodies to achieve these solutions. In this endeavour WBU-ISOG reflects one of the aims of the WBU by including and supporting the needs and requirements of broadcasters around the world. WBU-ISOG meetings are held twice a year and permit open dialogue from an international perspective on key satellite communications issues. WBU-ISOG is a tri-partite organization whose participants include members from the WBU including broadcasters, satellite and fibre optic carriers, transmission service providers and invited participants associated with the industry. For more information, please visit www.worldbroadcastingunions.org. About sIRG sIRG is an international assembly of parties with representation from both the private and public sector organized to combat the increasing and costly problem of satellite RF interference.  Members disseminate information and actively pursue programs to reduce radio frequency interference incidents.  Formed over ten years ago as an informal group working to reduce radio interference, the Group’s membership is comprised of satellite operators, users, uplinkers, service providers, equipment vendors and other organizations with a stake in combating radio frequency interference. For more information, please visit www.satirg.org.